“Show me something” Israel Adesanya admits to Mike Tyson that a fight against “beast” Khamzat Chimaev interests him


“Show me something” Israel Adesanya admits to Mike Tyson that a fight against “beast” Khamzat Chimaev interests him

Israel Adesanya talks about fighting Khamzat Chimaev

Israel Adesanya has finally caught up with the hype of Khamzat Chimaev in the UFC but the middleweight champion needs more convincing before he gives the rising superstar a shot at his belt.

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Khamzat Chimaev is the talk of the town and the rising superstar has recently gained the attention of middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. “Borz” is an absolute phenom inside the octagon and has called out almost the entire roster to a fight. However, Chimaev has given some special attention to the champions of the welterweight and middleweight divisions.

Khamzat chimaev Gilbert Burns
Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns

Recently, Israel made an appearance in an interview with legendary boxer Mike Tyson on the “Hotboxin with Mike Tyson” podcast. The middleweight champion is craving new competition as he laps around his division and he wouldn’t mind facing Chimaev in the octagon. However, he has some conditions.

“This guy fights at welterweight. He’s fought at middleweight one time, and he’s fought like a low-ranked guy and can definitely beat some middleweights. But I’m like, ‘Show me something,'” said Adesanya talking to Mike Tyson about Chimaev on the podcast.

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Israel Adesanya gives props to Khamzat Chimaev and calls him a “beast”

Khamzat Chimaev and Israel Adesanya
Adesanya reveals what he thinks about a fight against Khamzat

“I might not like you but if I’m impressed by what you do, I’ll give you props. He’s a beast, but he’s a beast at 170,” said Adesanya on the podcast. Izzy also took a dig at Khamzat’s multiple call-outs and said, “When the dog barks at the moon, that’s normal. But when the moon barks at the dog, that’s something special.”

Chimaev is now scheduled to take on recent welterweight contender Gilbert Burns at UFC 273. The fighter is most likely looking at a welterweight title shot if he gets things done in an impressive fashion in his fight against Burns. Chimaev has fought in the middleweight division twice, against John Phillips and Gerald Meerschaert. Both times, Chimaev finished his opponents.

Do you think Chimaev has a chance of beating Adesanya in a potential middleweight showdown? Watch Israel Adesanya on Mike Tyson’s podcast below:

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